Tuesday, 17 June 2025

James ‘Jimmy’ Mentor

Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:41): Today I rise to mark and acknowledge the life of James Mentor, better known as Jimmy. Jimmy was a Labor diehard, a Collingwood superfan and a dedicated and brilliant staffer to Senator Ciccone. Most of all, though, he was a great and decent bloke. When I heard the news of Jimmy’s passing last week, it did not feel real. I did not want to accept it, and frankly it still does not feel real. Jimmy was one of those people who had time for everyone. Nothing was too much to ask, and he enriched the lives of everyone around him. I first met Jimmy when I was a fresh-faced member of Young Labor.

David Davis: You’re still fresh-faced.

Michael GALEA: Thank you, Mr Davis. He had recently aged out but was always happy to help the next generation. He was always happy to lend a hand and was always up for a chat. I know I speak for many in this building and across the political landscape when I say that we will all miss him very dearly. I extend my condolences directly to the Mentor family, to Jimmy’s friends and colleagues and to all of those who have been impacted by his tragic and untimely passing. He has been taken from us way too soon. Jimmy was the epitome of true Labor values, and it is in that light that I and so many others will fondly remember him. Vale, Jimmy Mentor.